Coming of Age Stories

[maestrowork]

What is it about "coming of age" stories that either turn you on or off, if they do? It's a very prominent sub-genre. Also, I would lump "self discovery" novels in the same category (e.g. About Schmidt).

One of the things I notice is that a lot of first-time authors write coming of age... (The Kite Runner is a first novel, for example). By no means does it mean they're inferior... my first novel is sort of a coming-of-age and I sure hope it's a good one.

So what is it that you like or dislike about these stories?

[loquax]

I like coming of age themes, but I think there are far too many of them, especially considering that "coming of age" doesn't actually exist. I never came of age, and I don't know anyone who has. The closest equivalent I can think of is "Wow, my first beer. I'm a MAN"

Unless, of course, coming of age is a part of your religion, in which case it's something different altogether. You can try and base a book on a bar mitzvah if you like, but I don't think it would have the same effect.

[reph]

Coming of age is a lifelong process. I read more short stories than novels, and it seems to me that stories about coming of middle or old age are common. Maybe writers follow the pig through the python.

The C of A theme is a handy vehicle for the requirement of change in the main character.

[Maryn]

I like coming of age stories when they're well done. The transition from child to adult--well, more adult anyway--is universally tumultous, yet always unique. There are elements in every human's coming of age that are common (self doubt, ineptitute in the romance department, challenging parental control. realizing that the adults you revere are flawed) that readers can identify with when it happens to characters on the page or screen.

What I hate about poorly-done coming of age stories is that they so often reduce the theme to sexual knowledge. There's so much more to seeing the world through adult eyes than getting laid. Well, at least that's what I've heard...

Maryn, forever young (snapping her gum and disrespecful as can be!)

[maestrowork]

Another question: What are the best C of A stories you've read? I've mentioned "The Kite Runner" -- a recent novel (and well done) that is still fresh in my mind.

[KTC]

Yes...Kite Runner is awesome. I like C of A because I have come of age...there is something of my own story in every coming of age story. It's my favourite type of novel. Some good ones I've read:

Bruiser by Ian Chorao
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
13 by Mary-Lou Zeitoun
The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
A Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I could go on for ever!

[Jamesaritchie]

I love coming of age stories. I can relate to them.

For me, coming of age has nothing to do with how old you are. It's that moment in life when, for whatever reason, often hard times, adult responsibilities come your way and you accept them. This can happen at twelve, at twenty-five, or never. It's that moment when you mature, when you grow up.

[SC Harrison]

There is a time in everyone's life when they are no longer allowed to be merely a spectator, they must take an active role in their own existence. This may come about from a death in the family, a natural disaster, economic despair, etc. Many don't have to face this until they bring a child into the world (married or not), and even then some don't "come of age" yet, much to the detriment of their offspring.

I believe the draw of the coming of age story is that we are given the opportunity to witness the change occur, as the individual's perceptions and behavior are radically altered. How they deal with their new situation, whether wisely or not, gives depth to the character and bonds us to him/her. It also (may) cause us to wonder how we (personally) would fare in the same situation, were the roles reversed.

Escapism is definitely underrated. Isn't that what reading fiction is all about?

[Jamesaritchie]

Escapism is definitely underrated. Isn't that what reading fiction is all about?

I don't think I'd label good coming of age stories as escapism. For me, the good ones are about real life, and present real moral questions and lessons.

I believe one of the best things teens, and some adults, can do is read good coming of age fiction. People often do follow the lessons they learn from books. Often more than the lessons parents and friends try to teach.

[SC Harrison]

I don't think I'd label good coming of age stories as escapism. For me, the good ones are about real life, and present real moral questions and lessons.

I believe one of the best things teens, and some adults, can do is read good coming of age fiction. People often do follow the lessons they learn from books. Often more than the lessons parents and friends try to teach.

By escapism I'm referring to the reader being drawn into the story, as opposed to just reading the words.

In reference to "lessons learned", go to my website and scroll down to the bottom of the home page. It's a little overboard, but I was in a strange mood that day.

[Jamesaritchie]

By escapism I'm referring to the reader being drawn into the story, as opposed to just reading the words.

In reference to "lessons learned", go to my website and scroll down to the bottom of the home page. It's a little overboard, but I was in a strange mood that day.

Yes, I think all good fiction draws the reader into the story. If I find myself just reading the words instead of living along with the story, I'm probably going to stop reading and look for anothe rbook.

[brokenfingers]

I think readers love journeys - whether external journeys (quests, finding the killer, finding true love, etc.) or internal ones (self-growth, self-realization etc)

I think it touches a primordial nerve; a person stepping through a doorway to emerge on the other side as a new person - better, improved, more able.

In essence it's the story of the human race...

[jen.nifer]

Another question: What are the best C of A stories you've read? I've mentioned "The Kite Runner" -- a recent novel (and well done) that is still fresh in my mind.

'A Complicated Kindness' was very good... - I finished it a couple of weeks ago.

[aruna]

I love coming of age stories too, and that's what I write - if I were to identify a genre for my books, it's that. All of my books to date are journey's through childhood to adulthood, and all of them are about turning from a girl into a woman. IN my current book, this doesn't really happen till she is 49! However, for a good part of the book she is 14 and 19, and struggling to find herself. Since that is the story of my own life, it's what I write about.

[SC Harrison]

In my book I wrote about a 14 year-old boy who meets the girl of his dreams, spends about two hours with her at a swimming pool, and then she disappears later that day. He's stuck in that head-over-heels infatuation stage, and, being unable to forget her, he becomes obsessed with finding her. This process radically changes the way he views the world, and his place in it, as well.

While there is a certain degree of conflict in the story, there is an equal (if not greater) amount of inner conflict taking place in the main character. Whether or not the quality of my prose is enough to sustain a reader's interest, the exercise itself was a great experience.

[gp101]

I cringe when I see "a coming of age" description tagged onto a story (movie, ss, or novel). I've read a few over the years that were great, just don't ask me to name them because I can't. My problem with these stories--as a whole--is that they either feature the author's life story, or a pinnacle in his/her life, which usually isn't that interesting to me, and simply serves as an ego boost to them. Or, it's the type of story where the main character is simply reacting to changes (in love, work, whatever), but does little to actually act in response to the changes. It's like the hero can only internalize the new events, and analyzes them instead of doing something about them or in response to them. A lot of intropsection and description usually follows, and by then, I've given up reading that story. I found a lot of literary fiction fell into this trap.

Again, this is a generalization to the overall crop of C of A, not every C of A. And since I've refused to read or view any story labeled as such for years, they may be very different now, and vastly improved.

But I doubt it.

[KelseyF]

I *love* coming of age stories...well, well-written ones of course. But I'm into that sappy stuff and love to cry and get butterflies. I'm currently living out the coming of age book I hope to write someday.

[WerenCole]

Ah, yes, to come of age, that great time in a persons life when they realize when they can't pay their bills, their girlfriend is pregnant and your in a dead end job.. . . Next thing you realize money is missing off the dresser and your daughters knocked up. . .What great fiction that is, I simply love it.


No, really. There are a lot of good books out there that deal with some type of thing reaching a dramatic conclusion or cartharsis in your life and I do not think it should be classified as a genre. Catcher in the Rye could be considered a coming of age book, or a book or self discovery etc. . .

My own first attempt at a novel is sort of a self discovery. . . very literally. My character has lost his whole memory and he has to rediscover himself. That does not mean it is sappy, nor does it mean it is a journey through time and space as he is projected at some final goal. (though there is eventually a dramatic cartharsis, though it does not end the book) At the same time it is a story of his family and friends, romance and crime and violence. . . strange but true type of happenings and, well, stuff. . . whatever. I hate giving the synopsis, it kinda does make it seem sappy.

Every one in life has gone through some type of trial and tribulation that has shaped who they are today and as writers we are no exception. To write about it and share it with people we may find an audience out there that feels that they are unique to our experience and what we write may help them along their path. . .

Weren

[Garbarian]

Catcher in the Rye could be considered a coming of age book, or a book or self discovery etc. . .



yes, the catcher in the rye is considered by many as the quintessential coming of age story. unfortunately it led to hundreds of awful coming of age stories trying to mimic it in various ways.

[WerenCole]

yes, the catcher in the rye is considered by many as the quintessential coming of age story. unfortunately it led to hundreds of awful coming of age stories trying to mimic it in various ways.



ah yes, painful, but true. . . though, mimicry is the best form of flattery, or so they tell me. . . what is painful here? the fact that the story was written and thus subject to such forms of various mimicry or the story itself. The point is that Salinger hit it on the head with that one, and despite our own feelings of writing such a story, we all try to produce something that someone else might feel is so empowering as to try and create it again on their own accord.

I am one not to turn my back on the original work even after it has produced not so stellar spin offs. . . I will use a common reference (and it does not apply to me, since I do not watch television, but here it is to make a point) Just because the show Friends created an inferior show Joey, does that make you forget that you like Friends in the first place. Or perhaps since Lord of the Rings has done more or less the same thing, do you turn your back on the original trilogy? I think not.

Weren

[Garbarian]

i'm not saying that the catcher in the rye is bad or should be ignored. it's a classic. just stating the plain fact that it spawned a lot of horrendous, derivative coming of age stories written in the same voice and using the same themes.